Deer Prairie Creek Preserve
North Entrance - 7001 Forbes Trail, Venice
South Entrance - 10201 South Tamiami Trail, Venice NOW OPEN!

Trail Map Close-up of West Trails Map Close-up of East Trails Map

This 6,439-acre preserve, located along the wild and scenic Myakka River, was purchased between 2000 and 2004 through a partnership between Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. In combination with other protected lands to the north, this preserve provides complete protection of the creek in Sarasota County and nearly six miles of the Myakka River’s east bank.

While walking the preserve’s trails, visitors will see a variety of native habitats including pine flatwoods, prairie hammock and seasonal wetlands. Portions of the trails provide scenic overlooks along the banks of the Myakka River and Deer Prairie Creek. A variety of wildlife species inhabit the preserve including gopher tortoises, alligators, river otter, wild turkey, swallow-tailed kite, Florida scrub-jays and an assortment of wading birds. Native flowering plants, such as St. John’s wort, tarflower and pine lily thrive throughout the landscape, with particularly striking displays during the spring and fall.

North entrance: located at 7001 Forbes Trail in Venice and offers access to the following amenities:

• Parking lot
• Hiking trails
• Equestrian trails (*Proof of current negative Coggins test must accompany you at all times.)
• Horse trailer parking lot
• Horse watering trough
• Picnic shelters and tables
• Park benches
• Portable restroom
• Canoe/kayak landing (accessible from the river only!)
• The north entrance does not provide access to the canoe and kayak launch located at the southern half of the Preserve.

• Parking lot
• Hiking trails
• Fishing
• Picnic shelters (1 ADA accessible shelter) and tables
• Park benches
• Canoe and kayak launch (*PLEASE NOTE - if kayaking, you will need to plan your kayak trip during a high tide. Please follow the El Jobean tidal tables - go to this link for up-to-date tidal tables
• Canoe and kayak trailer parking
• The south entrance does not accommodate equestrian access or use. All equestrian activity is available via the north entrance only. 

Preserve hours are:

7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., April through October
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., November through March

  Deer Prairie Creek Preserve Brochure
 Deer Prairie Creek Preserve Equestrian Trails  
 Deer Prairie Creek Land Management Master Plan

For more information about Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, call 941-861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.